Wine tasting on-board the Demetris Chara BBQboat BlueLagoon tours

The best part of this Blue Lagoon boat trip is that it joins two very different pleasures: a guided tasting of Cypriot wine and a long, lazy stop in clear Mediterranean water. Sommelier Gergana leads the tasting, while the crew serves a barbecue lunch onboard.

I like the generous two-and-a-half-hour stay at Blue Lagoon, which gives you time to eat, swim, take photos, and settle into the day. I also like the choice of pickup from Paphos or meeting the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi, though the trip includes about two hours of sailing, so anyone wanting a quick wine tasting may find the pace slow.

What makes this boat trip worth considering

• Cypriot wine with a dedicated sommelier: Gergana guides the tasting and shares local wine and island advice.
• A long Blue Lagoon stop: You get about two and a half hours at anchor, more than enough time for lunch, swimming, and a relaxed break.
• Barbecue included: The meal adds real value to the $90.02 price, especially if you plan to spend half a day on the water.
• Paphos pickup is available: You can arrange pickup in Paphos or make your own way to Latchi port.
• A social boat setting: The boat can take up to 80 people, though the wine tasting itself may be a smaller part of the group.
• Good-weather dependent: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, which is useful to know before you plan tightly.

From Paphos or Latchi to the open water

You have two ways to start. The first is pickup in Paphos. This is the easiest option if you are staying there, but remember that the wider outing still centers on Latchi and the boat departure. One booking included a pickup from an Airbnb about 45 minutes from the boat, with the driver making scenic stops when asked. That suggests the transfer can be a pleasant part of the morning, but you should allow plenty of time for the road journey.

The second option is to meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi port. This suits you if you have your own transport or are staying nearby. The meeting instructions are simple: find the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at the port. Since the boat carries as many as 80 people, arrive with enough time to locate it and settle in before departure.

The full outing lasts about four and a half hours. Around two hours are spent sailing out and back, leaving about two and a half hours at Blue Lagoon. That timing matters. This is not a short harbor cruise with a quick photo stop. You are giving half a day to the water, the meal, and the wine.

Passing Latchi Beach on the way out

Once underway, the first beach you pass is Latchi Beach. It is a modest detail in the schedule, but it helps you get oriented. You leave the port, watch the coast open up, and settle into the boat before the main stop.

The sailing time gives you a chance to enjoy the Mediterranean without having to organize anything yourself. You can sit back, watch the shoreline, and begin the wine portion of the day as the boat moves toward the lagoon. If you prefer constant activity, two hours of travel may feel like a lot. If you enjoy the simple rhythm of a boat ride, it is part of the appeal.

I would also treat the sailing time as a practical reason to bring sun protection and clothing suited to changing conditions. The supplied details do not specify shade, seating, or onboard facilities, so you should be ready for a straightforward boat outing rather than assuming the comfort level of a large cruise ship.

Wine tasting with Gergana onboard

The wine tasting gives this trip its special angle. Instead of only sailing to a swimming spot, you sample a selection of Cypriot wines with a sommelier leading the session. Gergana is the name most closely associated with the tasting, although some feedback refers to her as Gerry or Geny. She explains the wines, talks about the local area, and helps turn the cruise into more than a meal on a boat.

The tasting is also personal in a way you may not expect. On some departures, only a small number of people take part in the wine session. One couple found themselves as the only pair booked for it, which felt awkward for a moment but became a very attentive tasting. That can be a plus if you want questions answered and a close connection with the sommelier. It may feel less like a formal group class and more like a private session added to a busy boat outing.

You should plan for a substantial amount of wine. One account gives the practical warning to eat a hearty breakfast before departure because the bottles keep coming once the tasting begins. That is useful advice, not a complaint. The wine is a major part of the day, and you should pace yourself, drink water when available, and avoid treating the tasting as a race.

This is a good introduction to Cypriot wine if you are unfamiliar with it. You will not simply be handed a glass and left to guess what you are drinking. Gergana is praised for her attention, her explanations, and her local recommendations. If you enjoy food and drink with a sense of place, this part may be worth the trip on its own.

Blue Lagoon: two and a half hours at anchor

The boat anchors at Blue Lagoon for about two hours and 30 minutes. This is the heart of the outing. You have time to swim, eat, take pictures, or stay onboard with a glass of wine and watch the water.

The long stop is a real advantage. Short boat excursions often allow only enough time for a quick swim before the captain calls everyone back. Here, you do not need to choose between lunch and the water. You can have the barbecue, swim afterward, and still have time to relax.

The lagoon is described as especially beautiful, and its appeal is easy to understand from the schedule alone. You leave the boat without needing to arrange a separate beach visit, then return to the same boat when you are ready. That makes the day simple for couples and families who want some swimming without building their own plan around it.

The drawback is that the lagoon may become crowded with other boats. The supplied details do not promise privacy, and a boat that can carry up to 80 people is not a quiet private charter. If you want a secluded cove with no other activity around you, this may not be the right choice. If you want a dependable swim stop with food and wine already arranged, it makes more sense.

Bring whatever you need for time around the water. The tour details confirm a swimming stop, but they do not list equipment rentals, towels, changing rooms, or specific onboard amenities. A swimsuit, cover-up, sun protection, and a dry bag for valuables are sensible choices.

Barbecue lunch served at the lagoon

The barbecue is served while the boat is anchored at Blue Lagoon. That timing works well. You can enjoy lunch with the water as the setting, then swim or remain onboard rather than rushing back to shore for a meal.

The food is described as barbecue fare, but no menu is provided. I would therefore see the lunch as a useful included meal, not book this solely for a particular dish or dietary promise. If you have food restrictions, check with the provider before booking because the available information does not confirm vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or other special options.

The included lunch adds weight to the $90.02 cost. You are paying for a half-day cruise, a boat ride to Blue Lagoon, a meal, and a guided wine tasting. That is more useful value than a bare transport ticket, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a meal and a wine session. The price is less attractive if you do not drink wine, do not plan to swim, or want only a short cruise.

One thing to keep in mind is the order of the day. Wine tasting, barbecue food, and swimming are all close together. Eat something before you go, take the wine slowly, and give yourself time before getting into the water. This is common sense, but it matters more here because the tasting may include several wines.

How personal is the wine session?

The boat itself can hold up to 80 people, so you should not assume this is a small-group cruise. The wine tasting can be a different story. The supplied experiences show that a departure may have only two people taking part in the wine portion, even while the rest of the boat follows the standard cruise.

That creates an unusual mix. You may have the energy of a larger BBQ boat, then receive very direct attention during the tasting. For some people, that is ideal. You can ask about Cypriot wines, hear local suggestions, and have Gergana take photos while you swim. For others, the contrast may feel slightly odd if they expected everyone onboard to be part of a formal wine event.

I would book this for flexibility, not for a guaranteed private tasting. The size of the overall boat and the number of wine participants can vary. The strongest part of the setup is that the tasting still appears to receive careful attention even when it is not the main activity for every person onboard.

Pickup, timing, and practical comfort

Paphos pickup is helpful if you do not want to find your own way to Latchi. One transfer included scenic stops at the request of the passengers, but you should not treat those stops as a promised part of every pickup. They depend on the driver, timing, and route.

Meeting at Latchi port gives you more control and may be simpler if you are already nearby. The key choice is convenience versus travel time. Pickup removes the need to arrange transport, while meeting at the port avoids adding a transfer from Paphos to the day.

The activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness. That wording is broad, and no detailed accessibility information is provided. Service animals are allowed, and the boat is near public transportation. Ask the provider directly if you need specific information about boarding, movement around the boat, or facilities.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. The tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not reached.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel later than that and you may not receive a refund, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. Those rules are worth noting if your Cyprus schedule is still shifting.

Who should book this Blue Lagoon wine cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, wine lovers, and anyone who wants a ready-made half-day on the water. You get a clear plan, a meal, a swimming stop, and a sommelier who can add local context without asking you to arrange separate tastings.

It also suits you if you want a relaxed day rather than a tightly packed sightseeing tour. The two-hour sailing period and long lagoon stop leave room to sit, talk, eat, and enjoy the view. The boat setting can also work well for a mixed group where some people want wine and others mainly want swimming and barbecue food.

I would hesitate if you dislike group boat trips, need a very quiet setting, or want complete control over the food and tasting pace. The vessel may carry up to 80 people, other boats may be present at Blue Lagoon, and the wine portion may be larger or smaller than you expect. The trip is also less appealing if you are looking for a short activity close to Paphos, since the Latchi departure and sailing time form a large part of the day.

Should you book the Demetris Chara wine tasting?

Book it if you want Cypriot wine, a real meal, and plenty of time at Blue Lagoon in one outing. The combination is unusual, and Gergana’s personal attention can make the tasting feel special even when the main boat is busy.

At $90.02 per person, the value depends on using the whole package. Wine drinkers who plan to swim and eat should find the price easier to justify. If you only want a quick look at the lagoon, choose a simpler boat trip. If you want a relaxed, social day with good wine at its center, this is a strong choice, provided the weather cooperates.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting boat trip depart from?

You can either arrange pickup from Paphos or meet the Demetris Chara BBQ boat at Latchi port.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. About two hours are spent traveling out and back, with around two hours and 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included and is served while the boat is anchored at Blue Lagoon.

How long do I stay at Blue Lagoon?

The boat remains at Blue Lagoon for about two hours and 30 minutes. You can use this time to swim or relax onboard.

Is the wine tasting offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and the wine tasting is led by a sommelier identified as Gergana.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled. A full refund is also available when the minimum number of participants is not reached and the provider cancels.